“Don’t worry. It was hot in there, and you probably didn’t have enough to eat before you came to meet me.”
He led him into the bedroom, and after stripping him, tucked him into bed and turned down the lights. The whites of Reed’s eyes glinted in the half darkness, and Carter remained standing by the side of the bed, looking down at him. By rights he should be annoyed; they were together to have sex and nothing more. If he were smart, he’d tell Reed goodbye in the morning—forget about him and find someone else. Someone like Trent. But his mind rebelled and Carter dismissed that idea. He didn’t want Trent. He didn’t want anyone else but Reed.
“I’m sorry.” Reed lifted himself up on his elbows, the sheets falling to his waist. “I, uh, don’t know what came over me. I know you’re disappointed.”
Swallowing heavily at the sight of Reed’s naked chest, Carter shrugged. “Don’t be. One night won’t make a difference.”
“Thanks. I’m sure I’ll make it up to you in the morning.”
“It’s fine,” said Carter, as nonchalantly as possible. “I’m going to check some emails and be right back.” Before Reed had a chance to respond, Carter turned his back and walked away.
This arrangement that had started out as purely sex was rapidly veering off course, and he had to find a way to bring it back to center. The emotional dancing in the club, his surprising jealousy at the thought of anyone else but him touching Reed, and how even now he wanted to protect and take care of Reed, all evidence pointing to them getting too close, too fast. The signs were there for him to pull away.
He stretched out on the sofa in the living room and opened his computer to check his email. Sure enough, there was a video that Helen had uploaded of Jacks and her, making pizza for dinner, and Carter smiled and settled down to watch his little brother, happy to be able to put aside, at least for a while, his burgeoning feelings for the man waiting for him in his bed.
Chapter Seven
‡
November faded toDecember, and Reed anticipated winter break and the holidays although he had nothing planned except for his weekend visit with Carter. At the beginning of the month Ariel had invited his father and him to Massachusetts for the holidays, but Reed had already promised Vernon he’d work, plus he didn’t want to miss his time with Carter. He and his father had always kept the holidays low-key since his mother had picked that time to bail out on them.
Where other kids had family dinners and decorating to look forward to, the first few years after his mother left, Reed held out hope she might return and say it was all a mistake. Or at least send a card. Every day he’d come home from school and look through the mail for a card or a letter from her, at least acknowledging his existence or that she remembered she had a child.
It took several years until he finally stopped looking and convinced himself he no longer cared. His father had tried to make Thanksgiving a happy holiday—they’d watch the balloons get blown up and go to the parade unless it was raining, but with only the two of them across the table from one another at the meal, there was always a reminder of what was missing. And Reed always held out hope at Christmas that maybe his mother would come home, or at least send a card, but inevitably he’d be disappointed and feel guilty, knowing he should be excited with the tree and presents.
At thirteen, when he realized he was gay, he wondered if she already knew and used that, in addition to his other problems, as another excuse to leave. He went so far as to try and date girls and even kissed a few, but hated it. They did nothing for him, not like seeing the boys swimming in the pool in their swimsuits or the football players in their tight uniforms.
And though he’d dreamed of settling down with a special man and falling in love, Reed suspected he wasn’t the type of person someone would fall in love with. Not when everyone he’d ever been with had found it so easy to walk away from him and not look back. College guys had been after easy and uncomplicated sex, and though Reed had often hoped it might turn into more, deep in his heart he knew love wasn’t going to be found in the bathroom stall of his college dorm or in the darkness of an anonymous fraternity guy’s bedroom. Mason’s cruelty had been the last straw, and then Carter had caught him in a vulnerable moment when all Reed yearned for was to be wanted by someone.
There was something forbidden and exciting about meeting Carter in a hotel, like a rendezvous in one of those old-fashioned spy movies, and he strode through the hotel lobby with long, eager steps, anxious to see Carter after another long and lonely month. As usual, Reed only had to knock once before Carter opened the door and pulled him inside. He barely had time to drop his weekend bag before he found himself pinned up against the wall, Carter’s tongue ravishing his mouth. One thing he never doubted was how much Carter wanted him.
“You’re late.” Carter sucked on his lower lip and hunger surged through Reed, making him weak at the knees. Carter continued to kiss him until his bones melted and his head spun, dizzy with desire.
“I’m half an hour early.” He toed off his sneakers while Carter popped open his jeans and unzipped his fly.
“Stop disagreeing with me and get naked. I’ve been dreaming of your ass for a month now.” Carter yanked his jeans halfway down his thighs and sank to his knees. “Take off your pants, turn around, and spread your legs.”
A thrill shot through Reed at Carter’s demanding voice; his hands shook slightly as he pulled off his jeans and boxers and stood naked from the waist down. “Have you joined the police force? Is this a strip search?”
“Turn around, Reed.”
Carter’s darkly passionate tone sent a shiver of anticipation through him and he complied, standing silent, facing the wall. He jumped at the first brush of Carter’s fingers against the crease of his ass, and instinctively he widened his stance and dropped his head, breathing faster.
“Perfect,” muttered Carter under his breath, and then Reed felt hot breath and the scratch of a rough, stubbled jaw against the smoothness of thighs. Every nerve ending screamed as Carter’s hands cupped his ass and spread him wide, exposing him fully.
“Oh God.” Reed moaned, then cried out at the press of Carter’s slick tongue at his opening. His fingers curled spasmodically against the wall as lightening shot down his spine. Carter fluttered his tongue, then pulled away, causing Reed to whimper in frustration.
“Fuck.” He reached down to grab his cock and gave himself a few hard tugs to take the edge off, but it wasn’t working. He needed Carter’s mouth back on him. “Do it.”
“You like this? Tell me how much you want it.” Carter thumbed his hole, and Reed thought he might pass out from the desire rocketing through his body. “Tell me.” He twirled his tongue around the rim, but it wasn’t nearly enough to satisfy Reed.
“Carter, please.” He struggled to stand and had to place a hand flat up against the wall or else he might crumple to his knees. Carter’s finger slid down his crease, then delved inside his passage, sliding in and out, unerringly knowing where to place pressure to give Reed the maximum amount of pleasure. Sparks went off behind his tightly closed eyes, and he moved his hips in rhythm to the magic of Carter’s wicked, knowing fingers.
“Please, what?” Carter slid his hands up Reed’s hips and nuzzled against his ass. “I want you to beg me for it.” Hot air blew against his sweat-slicked skin, and Reed shivered from both anticipation and desire. When Carter slid his tongue into his passage, curling it up inside him, wave upon wave of pleasure slammed into him, and Reed came hard, shooting into his hand and splattering the wall.
Carter quickly stood and covered Reed with his body, sliding their hands together, blanketing him as he shivered and shook in the aftermath of his climax. He gasped for air, listening to the soothing sound of Carter murmuring words he was still too wrecked to make sense of, but the mere sound of Carter’s voice and his weight comforted.
“All good?” Carter stepped back and turned him around so they faced each other. Reed couldn’t help it; he wanted Carter’s arms around him again. He reached out and cupped the nape of Carter’s neck, drawing their faces close.
